Seeds require certain conditions before they will germinate. List these conditions and, for each condition you mention, suggest how it is important in the process of germination.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2016). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [max 6] Each importance must be linked to a condition in order to score credit.
2. 1. oxygen;
3. 2. for respiration/energy release ;
4. 3. growth/mitosis/cell division;
5. 4. water;
6. 5. solvent/reference to chemical reaction/transport;
7. 6. to rupture/break / soften testa (seed coat);
8. 7. reference to temperature qualified e.g. suitable/warm;
9. 8. for enzyme action ;
10. 9. digestion AW + of food/named food (stores);
11. 10. seed must be viable/alive/no longer dormant ;
12. [max 4] 1. amino acids/sucrose or sugar ;
13. 2. as a result of photosynthesis ;
14. 3. in or from leaves/source/storage organ of parent – or parent clearly implied;
15. 4. in solution ;
16. 5. translocated/in phloem ;
17. 6. in veins/vascular bundles ;
18. 7. functional reference to cotyledon/endosperm OR sink ;